Endangered Species

Endangered Species are species of organisms that are at risk of becoming extinct. This can be due to a variety of factors such as changes in their environment, loss of habitat, or decrease in their population. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the global authority on the status of the biological species that are facing the risk of extinction.

Definition

An Endangered Species is defined as a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, or predation.

Causes of Endangerment

There are several causes that can lead to a species becoming endangered. These include:

• Habitat Destruction: This is the most common cause of endangerment. When a species' habitat is destroyed or altered, the species may not be able to adapt to the new conditions and may die out.

• Overexploitation: This occurs when a species is hunted or harvested at a rate that the population cannot recover from.

• Invasive Species: These are species that are not native to a particular habitat and can out-compete native species for resources, leading to their decline.

• Pollution: Pollution can damage habitats and can be harmful to species directly.

• Climate Change: Changes in climate can alter habitats and can affect species' ability to survive.

Conservation Efforts

There are many efforts being made to conserve endangered species. These include:

• Protected Areas: These are areas where human activity is limited in order to protect the species and their habitats.

• Captive Breeding: This involves breeding species in captivity with the aim of reintroducing them into the wild.

• Laws and Regulations: Many countries have laws and regulations in place to protect endangered species.

See Also

• Threatened Species
• Extinct Species
• Conservation Status
• Biodiversity

References

Endangered Species Resources
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